The city council is Copenhagen's highest political authority and sets the framework for the committees' tasks.

The city council has 55 members (abbreviated MBs), and is chaired by the lord mayor (overborgmester),[1] who chairs the Economic Affairs Committee.

The chairpersons of the six standing committees have the title of mayor (borgermester).

The assembly primarily consisted of high-ranking citizens.

In 1840, the city council was established by royal decree, consisting of 36 democratically elected members.